Germ and Bacteria Hot-Spots: 12 Things You Should Know

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Dirty Door Handles

Claim: The bathroom-door handle on the public restroom is the germiest place.

False. Door handles actually have the least bacteria of any surface in public restrooms, according to a test by Chuck Gerba, PhD, a professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. That's because, according to Gerba's tests, 68 percent of people wash their hands before leaving the restroom. To pick up something like salmonella, which can cause diarrhea, from someone who didn't wash up, you'd need a huge dose of the bacteria, says Larson. Also, most bacteria need a warm, moist environment to survive and can live on hard, dry surfaces for only one to two hours.

Next: Unclean Office Objects

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dolmontero wrote:

Don't forget the buffet restaurants where everybody touches the serving utensils before you do and then you get your stuff, go back to your table and start eating. Maybe you cleaned your hands before you got your stuff but don't assume everyone else did!!!!!!!!!!

11/20/2012 10:56:46 PM Report Abuse

germania1 wrote:

on the topic of dirty door handles, i again disagree! Someone with damp hands touching a door handle has 500% more probability of cross contamination! However, I have seen in the British press recently that there is a new hygienic door handle from a company called Pure Hold that actually cleans your hands - if these get rolled out in hospitals we will all be better of! Have a look for yourself http://www.purehold.co.uk/

12/31/2011 03:44:01 PM Report Abuse

germania1 wrote:

totally disagree with this - inanimate objects such as door handles, phones, money have been proven to transfer germs and viruses - there is a wealth of research on the web that proves this!

12/31/2011 03:35:22 PM Report Abuse

copayextra wrote:

is phone funk on the mouthpiece of a phone mean there is bacteria on it? same for the sweaty musty smell that comes from my washing machine?

4/13/2011 03:46:24 PM Report Abuse

copayextra wrote:

i am throwing out my cleaning sponges pronto. i have used these for several months. i just assumed the cleaning stuff i use was keeping them from harvesting bacteria.

4/13/2011 03:43:45 PM Report Abuse